- 250,000 passengers since routes launched
- Expanding Dublin by 50pc next summer
Norwegian has carried 250,000 passengers on its transatlantic services out of Dublin in the 14 months after launching the routes, according to CEO Bjorn Kjos.
It will operate 40 flights a week between Ireland and North America next summer compared with 16 this year (up 150pc), with Dublin up from 9 to 28 (up 211pc).
From October 28, Dublin – Newburgh Stewart increase from 6w to 14w and Dublin Providence increases from 3w to 7w and add a third Dublin route, operating Dublin-Toronto Hamilton daily with B737 MAX from March 31. Shannon to Newburgh Stewart NY frequencies go from 3w to 5w from March 31 2019, compared to in summer 2018 (daily in winter 2018-9). Norwegian’s Shannon 4w and Cork 3w services to Providence RI are confirmed for summer 2019 with the same frequency as this year as seasonal services. Cork to Providence RI will be suspended for the winter.
Earlier this week, Norwegian said it was cancelling its services from Belfast to Stewart International and Providence and form Edinburgh.
IAG CEO Willie Walsh has said the airline group will ditch its shareholding in Norwegian if a takeover cannot be sealed by summer next year.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary told a briefing in Stansted last week: “if IAG acquires Norwegian, there’s no way that they will pursue the loss-making expansion strategy pioneered by Norwegian.“
